Wahlburgers, the burger franchise run by the Mark Wahlberg and his two brothers, is coming to California. Specifically, it will open in Palo Alto, where it will replace Sam’s Chowder House on University Avenue.

Photo: Sam’s Chowder House in Palo Alto

Owner Julie Shenkman said Sam’s has already been sold, making Palo Alto the future destination for one of the 30 planned Wahlburgers restaurants set to open in 2017.

Sam’s Chowder House opened in Palo Alto in 2013 with hopes that it would quickly fill the 120-seat space previously occupied by the short-lived Campo 185 restaurant.

The Wahlbergs’ restaurant chain isn’t without its fair share of controversy. Earlier this year, five Wahlburgers employees filed a class action lawsuit accusing the family’s Coney Island franchise of keeping money from its employees (while also violating several other state and federal labor laws).

Shenkman said the Wahlburgers location could be up and running as early as spring.